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Regular Agenda Item 3. C.
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| Regular BOS Meeting |
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| Information |
| Request/Subject |
| Intergovernmental Agreement (Contract No. IGA2021-052) with the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). |
| Background Information |
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause illnesses such as fever, cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of smell, loss of taste, and severe acute respiratory syndrome. In 2019, a new coronavirus was identified as the cause of a disease outbreak that originated in China. The virus is now known as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease it causes is called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. On January 31, 2020, the United States Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency to address the 2019 novel coronavirus. This pandemic leads to Arizona Governor Doug Ducey in March of 2020 to start the process of issuing declarations of public health emergency due to the necessity to prepare for, prevent, respond to, and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This led to additional actions to contain the spread of COVID-19, including the signing of Executive Order 2020-47 that required the pausing of business operations for certain businesses such as gyms, bars, indoor movie theaters, water parks, and restaurants with indoor seating to operate at less than fifty percent (50%) capacity.
In collaboration with the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), this additional environmental health funding is intended to address complaints received of identified permitted establishments noted in Executive Orders that are failing to adopt, adhere to, and comply with measures to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. |
| Evaluation |
Gila County Environmental Health will plan and implement strategies to help protect Arizonans from the spread of COVID-19 as documented in the background section. These strategies will include educational visits to permitted establishments when complaints are received of surrounding businesses that are failing to adhere to mitigation strategies as recommended by the CDC and ADHS, which include, but are not limited to; wearing cloth face coverings; practicing physical distancing; operating at appropriate capacity limits; and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.
The Gila County Environmental Health compliant driven inspections will be educational in intent. Providing guidance and recommendations to businesses and establishments to help implement appropriate measures to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Recommendations will align with guidance provided by the CDC and ADHS and will include the following: physical distancing by avoiding close contact (within six (6) feet) with others; cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces; wearing cloth face coverings, and adhering to all required capacity limits. |
| Conclusion |
| Approval of Contract No. IGA2021-052 will allow Gila County to determine compliance and educate public places such as gyms, bars, indoor movie theaters, water parks and restaurants with indoor seating, and citizens within their jurisdiction with respect to all standing Arizona Governor’s Executive Orders that must comply with measures to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. |
| Recommendation |
| It is the recommendation of the Health and Emergency Management Department Director that the Board of Supervisors approve IGA Contract No. IGA2021-052 with the Arizona Department of Health Services for environmental health complaint referrals upon signature through August 31, 2021, in the amount of $25,000. |
| Suggested Motion |
| Information/Discussion/Action to approve an Intergovernmental Agreement (Contract No. IGA2021-052) with the Arizona Department of Health Services in the amount of $25,000 for environmental health complaint referrals upon signature through August 31, 2021. (Michael O'Driscoll) |
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